Home Health Services Vaccines & Prevention
Vaccines and preventive care are essential steps to protect your health and the health of those you love. From childhood through adulthood, staying up to date on recommended vaccines helps prevent serious illnesses and keeps communities safe. Learn which vaccines you need, when to get them and how prevention can support a lifetime of wellness.
Drop in to SamCare Express, check in with your primary care provider or visit a Samaritan Pharmacy location in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon or Sweet Home.
Ways to prevent the flu, coronavirus or other infections include washing your hands often, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, frequently cleaning surfaces that are touched a lot, and staying home when you are sick.Vaccines help save lives every year and will:
Respiratory Illness Children.
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Respiratory Illness Adults.
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You may have the flu if you have a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue. Occasionally you may also have diarrhea or vomiting, but not always.
Most with moderate symptoms can convalesce at home. If you do get the flu and fall into a high-risk group (the elderly, infants and people with immune disorders) or experience severe symptoms, go to your doctor within 48 hours.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for children, you should seek medical care if they experience fast or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking or interacting or have fever with a rash. For adults, you should seek medical care if you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion or vomiting. For a lethargic child, or anyone with sever symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain or confusion, go to the Emergency Department.
In addition to a flu shot, the CDC recommends these tips to help prevent the flu:
Patients who have any known coronavirus symptoms such as fever, chills or shaking; cough or sore throat; shortness of breath; muscle aches or pains; loss of smell or taste; headache or any cold or flu-like symptoms are asked to call their primary care provider or visit a Samaritan walk-in clinic to be assessed and routed to appropriate testing and care.
In addition to getting the vaccine and basic health and hygiene practices like handwashing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following:
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air and poses significant health risks, especially for the unvaccinated. Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Early signs include:
A red, blotchy rash usually appears about three to five days after the initial symptoms, starting on the face and spreading downward to the rest of the body. Severe complications, such as pneumonia, encephalitis or even death, can occur, particularly in young children and immunocompromised individuals.
Because measles is highly contagious, we recommend calling before visiting your physician’s office, a walk-in clinic or the emergency department. This allows us to take appropriate precautions to keep you and other patients safe when you arrive.
The measles, mumps and rubella – or MMR – vaccine is highly effective, with two doses providing approximately 97% protection against measles. It is the best protection from measles.
After exposure, the MMR vaccine, administered within 72 hours, may prevent the disease or reduce its severity.
For high-risk individuals, such as pregnant women, infants and immunocompromised persons, immune globulin can be given within six days of exposure to provide temporary protection.
Patient health and safety and strict infection-prevention measures have always been the standard at Samaritan Health Services.
There are many precautions we take to ensure our facilities are safe and clean including frequent deep cleaning and disinfecting, as well as asking visitors and staff to be free of coronavirus or flu symptoms.
